No update or images from me. I am sailing with Joanna Lienti, her skipper his hurt and I was his relief.

Today was blowing stink and we had boat issues, so we did not finish any of the races today.

Good times!

Bummer! Glad you had fun anyway.

Is anybody uncertain about the meaning of the word "CHALLENGE"

We didn't think the challenge was only presented by the other competitors, right ?

First you have to proof your metal/mettle (?) against mother nature and only then you can worry about your competition !

Personally, I failed in the first portion back in 2007 !

Wouter

Don't worry Wouter, 2007 set the standard!!!!

Today's the final day, and the lightest air of the past 4 days racing no doubt.

I just checked the Boca Ciega Bay weather and it's saying 5 gust to 10. It should build to a steady 10 plus a few gusts as the land heats up but most likely will stay relatively light compared to the past 4 days.


http://www.bcbaywatch.com/

Look to the far right of the top two charts, the left side is yesterday's winds, timeline across the bottom.


They should easily be able to get in 3 races if they go to 2 laps instead of the 3 laps they have been doing.

Wow, when is the last time we saw a 15 race regatta? Do they get an extra throw out for that? If so that could shake up some standings as there are several who are holding two (or more) DNS-25's.

Only one drop allowed in these championship. This was straight from the Paul - the POR.

Can't remember the last regatta with 15 races. Maybe I just don't want to remember such a long regatta! :-)

If I read it correct on the GYC site, they use RRS, App.A. Meaning there is only one dicard allowed. Strange for such a long event. We mostly have about 1 discard for 4 races.

Good result on your boat, you must be proud!

Yes, Andi and Martin have been doing very well for being -out of towners- on a boat not of their own type!

They have no "DNF's" and a worst finish of 10, so very good sailing!

I was originally supposed to be sailing with Andi but then I was later scheduled to be back to flying by now and in Atlanta for re-qual training by this week, which is why he brought Martin to fill in for me. However, the FAA Doctor who was supposed to sign me off last week has been "Out of the office" for the last 2 weeks (Vacation? Having a Baby?) and so I sit in limbo waiting for them to OK my return to work. Maybe next week...

I was sad to miss sailing in this event, and nearly in my backyard, but I'm very thankful that Martin was able to come and fill in. They say they are having a really good time and all the other sailors have been very nice to them.

My thanks to all the other sailors for making them welcome here.

OK...
looks like some good racing.
What has broken? Curious.

Pete-- outstanding!!!! You beat BM! Sweet!
Seriously ... I think it is awesome that you held in there in that wind!

I also thought Amador was coming but I don't see him on the list.

would have been much more fun being there than dealing with a stupidly complicated computer program at work. I thought this crap was supposed to make life easier, not harder

Pete, young man, you are a tough one!

Stand bye for some awesome interviews from the TOP GC sailors. Due to technical difficulties I am unable to upload anything at this time. I cant get the media off the card, my computer's media reader will not read this particular card, so I need to drive 45+ minutes north to get the camera to download everything onto the computer.

Stand bye! I will guarantee you will enjoy what is coming up.

Standing totally by!

Brilliant Robi, Many thanks for all your efforts in giving our keyboard junkies our daily fix.

Wouter

IMHO it is a bit strange to have 15 races with only 1 discard.

"Ed Mills is a stud!"- anonymous sloop sailor at GC. Conditions were rough, at least for me, but Ed and the other Chesapeake guys got it done.

Hope everyone gets home safely.

Btw- The measuring process is painless. Carla Scheiffer ( please excuse the spelling)did most of the measuring. She's a sweet lady, very knowledable and efficient. Gordon Isco assisted and everyone was within limits. Spinnaker max SA is 17.5 sq meters. Mine measured in at 17.39, which was typical. I think Seth Stern had the lightest boat 107 (235.4 lbs.) or 109 kg., can't remember which.

Watching the top guys was something to behold!! F16S RULE!!

I agree here.

I feel a discard for every series of 5 additional completed races is better.

Wouter

Does somebody know what the wind strength was on the last day racing.

Hans

My respect goes out to the 1-up guys as well. From personal experience (GC 2007) I know that doing races in such conditions makes a 1-up crew very tired. Therefore completing a series of no less then 15 races is a major achievement in my book. Especially when finding the strength somewhere to score a 3rd place in race 13 on the very last race day !

The fight for these crews is against the conditions, themselves and loss of concentration first and against the other competitors second.

For me, these guys and Ed Mills in particular rose up to the challenge and have beaten it. In echo of Pete Pollard I feel we should celebrate their achievement and spirit.

Respect !

Wouter

The forecast was 5-10. The first race was certainly less than 10. The wind built slightly until we had a few whitecaps, perhaps 12 knots, but then abated. Overall, 6-10 knots for Saturday.

Thanks Pete,

Looks to be a more easy day of sailing.

Hans